Meadowlark Optics Donates $70,000 to CU's Quantum Scholars Program

The funding supports scholarships and opportunities for students studying quantum technology.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Meadowlark Optics, a photonics firm in Frederick, Colorado, has contributed $70,000 to the University of Colorado's Quantum Scholars program. The program provides scholarships, talks by industry leaders, professional development, and employment connections for students studying quantum technology at CU's Boulder campus. The donation comes as the 3-year-old program has quickly grown to over 150 students, with about half receiving scholarships.

Why it matters

Quantum technology is an emerging and highly specialized field, and the Quantum Scholars program aims to cultivate talent and build a pipeline of skilled workers in this area. Meadowlark Optics' donation helps ensure financial support and opportunities for students pursuing this field at CU Boulder.

The details

The Quantum Scholars program was created through a partnership between CU's Department of Physics and College of Engineering and Applied Science. The program offers students scholarship support, talks by prominent quantum scientists and industry leaders, professional development opportunities, and connections to employment and internships. Meadowlark Optics, which recently acquired Boulder Nonlinear Systems, has a state-of-the-art facility in Frederick and is led by CU alumnus Tom Baur.

  • The Quantum Scholars program was created 3 years ago.
  • There are over 150 students in the program this spring semester.

The players

Meadowlark Optics Inc.

A photonics firm located in Frederick, Colorado that recently contributed $70,000 to the University of Colorado's Quantum Scholars program.

University of Colorado

The university that hosts the Quantum Scholars program, which provides scholarships and opportunities for students studying quantum technology at the Boulder campus.

Tom Baur

The founder of Meadowlark Optics, who is a graduate of the University of Colorado.

Boulder Nonlinear Systems

A company recently acquired by Meadowlark Optics, adding a state-of-the-art facility to Meadowlark's headquarters in Frederick.

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The takeaway

Meadowlark Optics' donation to CU's Quantum Scholars program demonstrates the importance of industry partnerships and private funding to support specialized academic programs that are cultivating the next generation of talent in emerging technology fields like quantum computing.